Le Mars Police Department Adds Two More Officers
(Le Mars) — During the Monday lunch hour, two new police officers were officially welcomed to the Le Mars Police Department as they were sworn to office, and received their badges at a ceremony held at the Le Mars city council
chambers. Geoff Fay and Logan Sparr both have previous experience with law enforcement. Fay had been an officer with the Kingsley Police Department and Sparr was previously a police officer with the Remsen Police Department. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegt talks about both new officers.
Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte (center) stands with the two new police officers that were given the oath of office Monday during a ceremony at the Le Mars city council chambers. The new officers include Logan Spaar (left) and Geoff Fay (right). Both individuals have previous law enforcement experience.
Des Moines Police Confirm Man’s Body Recovered From River
(Des Moines, IA) — Des Moines police say they heard from two 9-1-1 callers Saturday afternoon about a man’s body floating in the Des Moines River.
Police confirm the body was recovered near Riverview Park shortly after 5:00 p-m. The calls reportedly came from a fisherman and a bicycle rider.
Investigators say they believe the body is connected to an incident last month when a man jumped into the river while he was trying to get away from pursuing officers. Multiple searches of the river turned up nothing. No positive I-D has been made on the body yet.
Demonstrating Motorcyclists Call For Stronger Charges Against Teen Driver
(Des Moines, IA) — Pressure is being put on the Polk County district attorney’s office to file tougher charges against the teenage driver accused of causing a fatal crash. Dozens of motorcyclists demonstrated outside the county courthouse Friday. Prosecutors announced they were looking at
enhanced charges against that driver, but their options are limited because the teen was only 15 years old. Right now he faces charges of failure to yield and driving without a license in the accident that took the life of Troy Matice. Due to his age, the driver’s name hasn’t been released. Prosecutors say they are considering charges that could include a thousand-dollar fine and a suspended license for six months.
Accused Animosa Penitentiary Attacker To Be Arraigned
(Anamosa, IA) — One of the two suspects charged with killing a corrections officer and a nurse during an escape attempt last month is being arraigned today (Monday) in Jones County Court. Michael Dutcher has entered a not guilty plea to two counts of first-degree murder. Dutcher and Thomas Woodard are accused of killing corrections officer Robert McFarland and nurse Lorena
Schulte. They also injured another inmate, McKinley Roby, to tried to stop the attack. Woodard’s arraignment is set for April 19th.
Weekend Rain Increases Flooding Threat In Eastern Iowa
(Davenport, IA) — Local officials are keeping an eye on rivers and creeks for flooding after heavy rain over the weekend in eastern Iowa. Three-and- three-quarters inches fell in Burlington, with two-point-eight inches at the Davenport Airport. Flood warnings are in effect for the Wapsipinicon River in Clinton and Scott counties. Flooding is also a threat along the Skunk River south of Burlington and, on the Illinois side, the Rock River in Rock Island County.
